Lukas Nmecha

Preston North End (loan) Nmecha was loaned to EFL Championship club Preston North End for the 2018–19 season on 9 August 2018, and made his debut for the club two days later, starting in a 1–0 defeat away to Swansea City. It took until his 23rd appearance for the club, a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa to score his first goal for the club, with Nmecha admitting it "probably should have come before now", though he got his second goal in the following match, a 2–1 defeat to Rotherham United.

VfL Wolfsburg (loan) On 3 August 2019, Nmecha joined Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg on a season-long loan.

Middlesbrough (loan) Nmecha's loan was ended on 3 January 2020 and he joined Middlesbrough on loan. His loan expired on 31 July 2020.

Anderlecht (loan) On 21 August 2020, Nmecha joined former teammate Vincent Kompany's team Anderlecht on loan. On 13 September 2020, he scored his first goal with Anderlecht in a 2–0 win over Cercle Brugge. On 19 September, he scored a brace in a 4–2 win over Waasland-Beveren. He ended the 2020–21 season scoring 18 goals in 37 matches.

Return to Wolfsburg Nmecha re-joined VfL Wolfsburg in a permanent deal on 16 July 2021. He scored the winning goal on his Bundesliga debut for the club, in a come-from-behind 2–1 victory over Hertha Berlin on 21 August.

Leeds United On 15 June 2025, it was announced that Nmecha would join Leeds United on a free transfer, having agreed to a two-year contract. Nmecha made his Leeds United debut on 18 August, playing Leeds' opening game of the season. He scored the winning (and only) goal against Everton.

On 17 January 2026, Nmecha scored the latest game-winning goal of his senior career, and the latest goal of his Premier League career, driving home a volley in the 91st minute of a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Elland Road on a cross from captain Ethan Ampadu.

International career Born in Hamburg to a German mother and a Nigerian father, but raised in England, Nmecha was eligible to play for Nigeria, Germany and England.

England In October 2014, Nmecha scored for the England Under-17 team in a qualifier against Macedonia. Nmecha was included in the England under-19 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. He scored the only goal of the game in the semi-final against the Czech Republic and also scored the winner in the final against Portugal.

On 18 May 2018, Nmecha received a call up to the England U21 team by manager Aidy Boothroyd, for the Toulon Tournament. On 9 June 2018, he came on as a substitute in the 2018 Toulon Tournament final as England defeated Mexico to retain the title. In November 2018, he scored for the England Under-20 team against Germany.

Germany In March 2019, Nmecha declared for Germany and was included in their U21 squad for the first time. He made his debut as a 59th minute substitute during the 2–1 victory over England at Bournemouth on 26 March 2019. On 6 June 2021, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Portugal in the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final, and finished the competition as top scorer with four goals.

Nmecha made his debut for the senior national team on 11 November 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Personal life The son of a German mother and an Igbo Nigerian father, Nmecha – and his younger brother Felix – were born in Hamburg but moved to England with their family in 2007. After honing their skills in the Hamburg borough of Altona, the switch to Manchester brought the young Nmechas to the attention of Premier League team Manchester City. Both went on to join the club's academy.

Style of play Nmecha's main position is as a centre forward, though he has also played as a winger on either side. He is tall and noted for his strength and his hold-up play, with Nmecha liking to drop deep to link play. Premier League

Manchester City U23 2017–18 Championship

VfL Wolfsburg (loan) 2019–20 Bundesliga

Middlesbrough (loan) 2019–20 Championship

Anderlecht (loan) 2020–21 Premier League

International

Honours England U19 UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2017

Germany U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2021

Individual Anderlecht Player of the Season: 2020–21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of The Tournament: 2021